International aid agency Oxfam is calling for £1 million to bolster its support to thousands of people uprooted from their homes by the devastating floods in Bihar in northern India.
More than one million people have sought refuge on embankments and in over 250 relief camps after floods swept away 300,000 homes. Search and rescue operations are trying to reach thousands of women, men and children still stranded by floodwaters. At least 69 people are known to have died – but many people are unaccounted for and the death toll is expected to rise.
Working with partner organisations, Oxfam has already distributed water purification kits, buckets, tarpaulin and shelter sheets in five relief camps in Supaul district. Oxfam has also used motorboats to rescue stranded men, women and children. The scale of the disaster now means that Oxfam is calling for additional funding from the UK public to increase the scale of its response. Additional support will help Oxfam to start distributing food to 100,000 people on Sunday.
Oxfam is also concerned that a lack of clean water and sanitation in crowded camps for displaced people is increasing the risk of disease, and is seeking more funds to address this.
Mani Kumar, coordinating Oxfam’s response in Bihar, said:
“In some camps, there is only one water pump for 2,000 people and many people are having to drink dirty flood water. We are concerned that this could lead to the spread of life-threatening diseases such as cholera and typhoid in the coming days. We urgently need to expand our response, but need more funds to make this happen.”
Jane Cocking, Oxfam’s Humanitarian Director, said:
“The scale of this tragedy is vast. Millions of people have lost their homes and are now huddled in make-shift camps or seeking refuge under the open sky. Thousands of people are without safe water and there is a serious risk of diseases breaking out. Our efforts in Sapaul are saving lives, but we need to expand our response, and anything the public can give us to help us achieve this will make a huge difference.”
Monsoon rains caused the Kosi River to breach its banks on August 18, resulting in serious floods in six eastern districts of Bihar. The scale of the breach has changed the course of the river, with waters flowing into villages that were not previously flood prone. Some reports indicate that over 2.7 million people have been displaced so far. Critically affected districts are Supaul, Araria, Madhepura, Saharsa, Purnea and Katihar.
Please act now – your support will save lives
£25 will pay for safe water containers for 23 families
£40 will provide a family of six with food for up to a month
To make a donation please visit: www.oxfam.org.uk or call 0300 200 1999
Oxfam has been working in India since 1951 to alleviate poverty and suffering as well as helping communities facing disaster risks to become more resilient.
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In the UK: Rebecca Wynn: + 447769887139
In India: Aditi Kapoor: + 91 98 103 06 200
Tags: emergency
